The most compelling part of the meeting centered on a detailed presentation about a collaborative initiative designed to enhance the well-being of children, youth, and families in Suburban Ramsey County. This initiative, established through legislation from the Department of Human Services, focuses on connecting individuals, families, and community resources. The guiding question for this collaborative is, “How are the children?” which serves as a foundational principle for assessing and addressing community needs, particularly in areas related to health, learning, safety, and security from pre-birth to age 21.

The origins of this collaborative effort trace back to 1998, when a survey was conducted to identify community needs and gaps. The survey involved focus groups led by Sue Garretts, a former mayor, who gathered insights from families in places like laundromats and libraries. The objective was to understand the needs of families and how a collaborative approach could effectively address those needs.

The collaborative operates as a systems change catalyst, addressing emergent issues and service gaps for underserved and marginalized families. It requires collaboration across various sectors, including libraries, social services, corrections, school districts, and mental health organizations. The overarching goal is to create a safety net prioritizing the safety, health, and learning of children and youth, with a vision that no child remains in at-risk circumstances.

Strategically, the collaborative works with both public and private partners, involving all four school districts in Suburban Ramsey County—Mounds View, North St. Paul, Maplewood, Oakdale, Roseville, and White Bear Lake Schools. It aims to leverage human, financial, and in-kind support to fill service gaps and enhance available resources for families. Notably, the collaborative has been operating under the framework of 90 Children’s Mental Health and Family Service collaboratives across the state, stemming from legislation implemented in 1998.

Financially, the collaborative receives approximately $700,000 allocated for direct services, with funding originating from Title IV federal dollars related to foster care. The Mounds View collaborative receives 37% of the countywide funding, while the St. Paul Children’s collaborative receives nearly half, and the Ramsey County Children’s Mental Health collaborative receives a smaller percentage. These figures highlight disparities in funding and the collaborative’s efforts to address them through partnerships and agreements.

The collaborative has reported significant returns on investment, having raised $55.4 million in leveraged direct services since its inception, with 142,530 children, youth, and families served. The services provided include school-linked therapeutic supports and community resource navigators designed to meet the comprehensive needs of families in at-risk situations. A crucial aspect of the work involves focusing on culturally specific services to better serve diverse populations within Suburban Ramsey County.

Regular meetings have been established to coordinate efforts among basic needs practitioners, leading to an increase in participation from 40 members to around 460 practitioners from various organizations. These meetings facilitate the development of resource directories, such as a basic needs resource directory and a jobs and training directory, which are accessible to practitioners assisting families.

An emotional narrative shared during the meeting highlighted the importance of providing hope to children in challenging situations. This narrative emphasized that children observe adult behaviors and that fostering a supportive environment can lead to positive outcomes. The collaborative efforts in Suburban Ramsey County were likened to a “Verizon network” of support, where numerous individuals work together to assist families. Gratitude was extended to the school district for its comprehensive support systems for students and families, recognizing the district’s long-term commitment to understanding and addressing mental health complexities.

The meeting also addressed updates from the Association of Metropolitan School Districts (AMSD), celebrating its 50th anniversary. An AMSD representative briefed the board on their achievements and advocacy at the state level. A recent poll highlighted mental health as the primary concern of the public regarding school responsibilities, with career education and the fine arts also being significant areas of interest. Upcoming legislative committee meetings were announced, focusing on legislative issues for the upcoming session.

Additionally, an update from Northeast Metro 916 noted a favorable evaluation for the superintendent and the approval of a joint powers agreement with the city of North St. Paul. This agreement enables students to participate in building a single-family home as part of a construction program, described as an exciting initiative for Mounds View School District students.